Janmashtami celebrates Lord Krishna’s birth, marking the triumph of good over evil. In 2024, the festival falls on August 26. Festivities include fasts, rituals, and various regional traditions.
Krishna Jayanti (or) Krishna Janmashtami also called as Gokulashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. This year, Janmashtami falls on August 26, 2024, which is a Monday.
The word ‘Janmashtami’ combines ‘Janm’ (birth) and ‘Ashtami’ (eighth), marking Lord Krishna’s birth as the eighth son of Vasudev and Yashoda on the eighth day of the lunar month.
When is Janmashtami Celebrated?
Lord Krishna was born at midnight on the eighth day (Ashtami) under the Rohini Nakshatra. The month of Krishna’s birth is Shravan in the Amanta calendar and Bhadrapad in the Purnimantha calendar, which corresponds to August-September on the Gregorian calendar. The exact date varies with the lunar cycle.
The Story of Krishna Jayanti:
Krishna was the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudeva, from the Yadava clan in Mathura. Devaki’s brother Kansa, the king of Mathura, killed her previous children after hearing a prophecy that her eighth child would end his rule. To protect Krishna, Vasudeva took him to Gokul, where he was raised by Nanda and Yashoda.
Other Names for Sri Krishna Jayanti
The festival is also known as Krishnaasthami, Janmasthami, Saatam Aatam, Asthami Rohini, Gokulasthami, Sree Jayanti, and Nandotsav.
Rituals and Celebrations
Krishna Janmashtami is observed with various traditions across India:
1. Nationwide: Devotees fast until midnight, when Krishna was born, and offer prayers with the deity’s idol in a cradle. Bhajans and Bhagavad Gita recitals are common. 2. Maharashtra: The Dahi Handi festival involves forming human pyramids to break pots filled with buttermilk, with competitions and prizes. 3. Uttar Pradesh: Large numbers visit Krishna temples in Mathura and Vrindavan. 4. Gujarat: Celebrations take place at the Dwarkadhish temple in Dwarka, Krishna’s kingdom. 5. Jammu: Kite flying is a popular activity. 6. Manipur: Krishna Janma is celebrated at the ISCKON Temple in Imphal. 7. Eastern India: Day-long fasts are kept, and sweets are offered at midnight. Major pujas are held in Puri, Odisha, and Nabadwip, West Bengal. 8. Southern India: Women decorate homes with flour footprints symbolizing baby Krishna’s adventures.
